Integrated rfid tag in a card holder, cage, lid, and rack for use with inventorying and tracking of cage occupants and equipment

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to an integrated RFID card holder, cage, lid or rack and system for collecting census, inventorying, and tracking of animal cages, lids, card holders, racks, and other related equipment. Preferably, the card holder is comprised of an RF transparent material such as plastic. During operation, a RFID reader reads each integrated RFID card holder attached to an animal cage for virtually linking the cage to an animal rack in effect assigning a parking spot to each animal cage within an animal cage rack system. The integrated RFID card holder can be determined to be in a room when the Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) is the highest comparing multiple reads from one or many antennas.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/056,901, filed May 29, 2008, the entirety of which ishereby incorporated by reference into this application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventionally, cards identifying research animals have been attached toanimal cages in a rack system. A card holder is attached to the animalcage system. The card slides into the card holder. Typically, the cardholder is comprised of metal.

Dyanasys has developed a product referred to as Dyanasys Animal CareWarehouse Management System which attaches a radio frequencyidentification (RFID) transmitter to a conventional metal card holder.The card can be read up to a range of about 8 to 10 feet.

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0241591 describes an animalcage in which a rear wall has an opening for inserting a monitoringmodule. The monitoring monitor monitors various conditions of the cage.A radio frequency identification (RFID) tag can be integrated with themonitoring linkage. The RFID tag can be programmed with identificationinformation, such as number of the cage, type of animal, number ofanimals and type of testing. The tag can be read with a reader to keeptrack and identify each cage. This patent has the drawback of notincluding the combination of a card holder and RFID tag with an animalcage. It is desirable to provide an improved integrated RFID card holderand a system operable at a greater range for RFID inventorying and/ortracking of animals, animal cages, and racks

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an integrated RFID card holder andsystem for inventorying and/or tracking animal cages. Preferably, theintegrated RFID card holder is manufactured of an RF transparentmaterial, such as a non-metallic material. In one embodiment, a RFIDinlay is received in a cavity of the card holder for unencumbering theRFID inlay and allowing a greater range of transmission of the passiveRFID signal up to about 25 feet. The cavity can be environmentallysealed to enable repeatable autoclaving, chemical decontamination, suchas with vaporized hydrogen peroxide gas, chlorine dioxide gas or wetchemical wipe down, and repeatable washing cycles. Alternatively, theRFID inlay can be integrated into an animal cage or lid of the animalcage or rack of animal cages which are comprised or a portion iscomprised of a RF transparent material. In one embodiment, duringoperation, a RFID reader reads each integrated RFID card holder attachedto an animal cage for virtually linking the cage to a database includinginformation of the animal rack, in effect assigning a parking spot toeach animal cage within an animal cage rack system. The integrated RFIDcard holder or RFID inlay integrated into the animal cage or lid of theanimal cage or rack of animal cages can be determined to be in a room ora position in a room where the Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI)is the highest by comparing multiple reads from one or many antennas forproviding data collection. The pin-pointing of a location of theintegrated RFID card holder, cage, lid or rack within a facility can beused for census, inventory, and tracking purposes.

The invention will be more fully described by reference to the followingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a rear elevational view of an integrated RFID card holder inaccordance with the teaching of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the integrated RFID card holder.

FIG. 3 is a front and side elevational view of the integrated RFID cardholder attached to the animal cage.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of assembly of the integrated RFID cardholder.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of an animal information card.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the animal information card beinginserted in the integrated RFID card holder

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of an alternate embodiment of an assemblyof the integrated RFID inlay assembled directly to a RF transparent cardholder.

FIG. 8 is an alternate embodiment of an integrated RFID inlay or RFIDintegrated circuit (IC) in an animal cage or lid of the animal cage.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a rack system for inventorying ortracking animal cages.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of an inventory cart including a RFIDreader.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a handheld RFID reader.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a plurality of fixedpositioned antennas associated within a room.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in greater detail to a preferred embodimentof the invention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals will be usedthroughout the drawings and the description to refer to the same or likeparts.

FIGS. 1-4 illustrate an integrated RFID card holder 10 in accordancewith the teachings of the present invention. Card holder 12 includescavity 13 for receiving RFID inlay 14. Cavity 13 has a shapesubstantially matching the shape of RFID inlay 14. In one embodiment,RFID inlay 14 can comprise RFID support 15 having the shapesubstantially matching the shape of cavity 13 and RFID tag 16. Forexample, RFID tag 16 can be applied as a RFID label or with an adhesiveto RFID support 15. Alternatively, RFID tag 16 can be integrated withRFID support 15. Cover 17 can be assembled into place over cavity 13 forretaining RFID inlay 14 within cavity 13. For example cover 17 can beenvironmentally sealed to cavity 13 by using one or more of thefollowing, sonic welding of similar materials, snap fit of cover 17 andcavity 13 and use of weather seal gasket 11, insert molding of RFIDinlay 14 and an adhesive applied between cavity 13 and RFID inlay 14.Preferably, card holder 12 is comprised of a RF transparent materialsuch a non-metallic material. For example, RF transparent material canbe rigid plastic or ceramic.

A plurality of protrusions 18 are positioned at edges 19 of card holder12. Slot 20 is positioned within each protrusion 18. Animal cageinformation card 40 can slide within slot 20 and be retained byprotrusions 18, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. For example, the card can bea 3×4 or 3×5 card.

As shown in FIG. 3, integrated RFID card holder 10 is attached to animalcage 21 and moves with animal cage 21 independent of placement of animalcage 21 on a rack for animal cages. In this embodiment, integrated RFIDcard holder 10 is used in a vertical position. Clip holder 22 attachesto rear surface 24 of card holder 12 for removably or permanentlyattaching integrated RFID card holder 10 to animal cage 21, as shown inFIGS. 3 and 4. Clip 28 is attached to clip holder 22. For example, clip28 can be attached using mounting bracket 30. Mounting bracket 30 isattached to clip holder 22 using rod 32 received within apertures 33 ofclip holder 22 and apertures 34 of mounting bracket 30. E-ring 36retains rod 32. Clip 28 can be attached to animal cage 21.

Animal cage information card 40 includes indicia region 42, as shown inFIG. 5. Indicia region 42 includes information directed to the animal.For example, the information can include investigator, protocol,contact, vendor, vendor breeding area, number of animals, species,strain, age, date of birth, sex and room assignment. Bar code 44 isassociated with card 40. Bar code 44 provides a unique identificationnumber.

In an alternate embodiment, RFID inlay 14 comprises RFID tag 16 which isattached directly on a RF transparent, integrated RFID card holder 100without using cavity 13, as shown in FIG. 7. For example, RFID tag 16can be applied as a RFID label with an adhesive or insert molded tointegrated RFID card holder 100. In this embodiment, integrated cardholder 100 can be used in a horizontal or vertical position. Clip holder102 attaches to rear surface 104 of integrated RFID card holder 100 forremovably or permanently attaching integrated RFID card holder 100 toanimal cage. Clip 108 is attached to clip holder 102. Clip 108 isattached to animal cage 21 (not shown).

In an alternate embodiment, RFID inlay 14 can be attached or integratedinto animal cage 21 or lid 202 as shown in FIG. 8. For example, RFID tag16 can be applied as a RFID label or with an adhesive to animal cage 201or lid 202. Alternatively, RFID tag 16 can be insert molded.

Animal cages 21 including RFID inlay 14 in any of the embodiments ofintegrated RFID card holder 10 , integrated RFID card holder 100,attached to animal cage 21 or lid 202 can be used in a rack system forinventorying or tracking animal cages 300, as shown in FIG. 9. RFIDreader 302 reads an identification of RFID inlay 14 or each RFID inlay14 positioned within rack housing animal cages 301. For example, RFIDreader 302 can read RFID inlay 14 at a distance up to 20 feet to 25feet. RFID inlay 305 can also be associated with rack housing animalcages 301. RFID inlay 304 can include RFID tag 16. Alternatively, RFIDinlay 304 can include an active RFID tag. In one embodiment, RFID inlay304 provides a housing for RFID tag 16.

RFID reader 302 can be associated with inventory cart 400, as shown inFIG. 10. Inventory cart 400 includes antennas 402 associated with RFIDreader 302. Inventory cart 400 can also include computer device 406.Inventory cart 400 moves adjacent to the rack housing animal cages (notshown). Inventory cart 400 includes wheels 407 for allowing inventorycart 400 to be rolled adjacent the rack housing animal cages. Duringoperation, RFID reader 302 logs an identification from the RFID tagassociated with each cage having an associated integrated RFID cardholder 10, integrated RFID card holder 100, attached to animal cage 21or lid 202 in order to interact with a database stored in computerdevice 406 and effectively virtually assign a parking spot to eachparticular animal cage in an animal cage rack system. The data fromintegrated RFID card holder 10, integrated RFID card holder 100,attached to animal cage 21 or lid 202 can be stored in the data base ormemory of computer device 406 and can be used for pin-pointing thelocation of associated RFID card holder 10, integrated RFID card holder100, attached to animal cage 21 or lid 202 within a facility for census,inventory and tracking purposes. In one embodiment, Received SignalStrength Indicator (RSSI) at RFID antenna/reader 402 mounted at top 409of inventory mast 410 can be used to determine location, such as withina room or a particular room, which contains integrated RFID card holder10, integrated RFID card holder 100, attached to animal cage 21 or lid202 attached to an animal cage. Integrated RFID card holder 10,integrated RFID card holder 100, attached to animal cage 21 or lid 202is determined to be in a position of a room or room where the RSSI isthe highest based on one or more RFID location tags 412 located withinthe room, such on the ceiling of the room.

In an alternate embodiment, RFID reader 302 is included in handhelddevice 500, as shown in FIG. 11. Hand held device 500 can be waved infront of the rack housing animal cages (not shown).

Alternatively, one or more RFID readers 602 can be associated with aroom containing one or more racks housing animal cages 301, as shown inFIG. 12. In this embodiment, RFID reader 602 can be a LAN based RFIDreader with fixed positioned antennas 603. In one embodiment, ReceivedSignal Strength Indicator (RSSI) at RFID reader 602 from positionedantennas 603 can be used to determine location, such as within a room ora particular room which contains integrated RFID card holder 10,integrated RFID card holder 100, attached to animal cage 21 or lid 202attached to an animal cage. Integrated RFID card holder 10, integratedRFID card holder 100, attached to animal cage 21 or lid 202 isdetermined to be in a position of a room or room where the RSSI is thehighest.

It is to be understood that the above-described embodiments areillustrative of only a few of the many possible specific embodiments,which can represent applications of the principles of the invention.Numerous and varied other arrangements can be readily devised inaccordance with these principles by those skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention.

1.-10. (canceled)
 11. An integrated RFID animal cage comprising: ananimal cage, a RFID inlay attached or integrated with said animal cageor a lid of said animal cage; wherein said animal cage is comprised of aRF transparent material.
 12. The integrated RFID card holder of claim 11wherein said RFID inlay comprises a tag, said tag being applied to saidanimal cage as a RFID label or with an adhesive.
 13. A system forinventorying or tracking one or more animal cages, lids or racks ofanimal cages comprising: a RFID inlay attached or integrated with saidanimal cage or a lid of said animal cage or a rack of said animal cages;a RFID reader for reading an identification from said RFID inlay; andinventorying or tracking means for receiving said identification fromsaid RFID reader and providing inventory or tracking information. 14.The system of claim 13 further comprising a card holder adapted forreceiving a card.
 15. The system of claim 14 wherein said card holderincludes a cavity; said RFID inlay including a RFID tag, said RFID inlaybeing received in said cavity of said card holder; a cover coupled tosaid cavity for retaining said RFID inlay within said cavity, therebyattaching said RFID inlay to said card holder.
 16. The system of claim14 wherein said card holder is comprised of a RF transparent material.17. The system of claim 14 wherein said RFID inlay comprising an RFIDtag, said RFID tag being applied to said card holder as a RFID label orwith an adhesive.
 18. The system of claim 14 wherein said card includingan indicia region adapted for receiving information directed to ananimal within the animal cage.
 19. The system of claim 13 furthercomprising an inventory cart, said inventory cart being associated withsaid RFID reader.
 20. The system of claim 13 wherein said inventory cartbeing associated with said inventorying or tracking means and furthercomprising: means for storing said identification in a database.
 21. Thesystem of claim 13 wherein said RFID reader is a LAN based RFID readerwith fixed position antennas, said inventorying means further comprisingmeans for determining received signal strength of said identificationfrom said RFID reader for detecting said location of said animal cage.22. The system of claim 13 wherein said RFID reader is included in ahand held device.
 23. The system of claim 13 wherein said one or moreanimal cages, or lids, or racks are comprised of a RF transparentmaterial, said RFID inlay comprising an RFID tag, said RFID tag beingapplied to said one or more animal cages or lids as a RFID label or withan adhesive.